Fantasy football advice: Sneaky Week 14 plays

By Brandon Murchison

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Dec 05, 2018 | 8:00 PM

QB: Josh Allen vs. New York Jets

In his two games since the return from injury, Josh Allen has proven to be a capable option as a Fantasy quarterback. In fact, on the season he has as many Top Five finishes (three) as some of the upper echelon at the position. In Week 14, he will be matched up against a Jets defense that has allowed multiple scores in eight of their last nine games. They are middle of the pack in points allowed to the position (17.31 Fantasy PPG), but with Allen’s rushing capabilities, this proves to be a quality matchup. Allen is Lamar Jackson but with a better arm, whether we would like to admit it or not. If you are in a bind in the first week of the playoffs, Allen could be a home-run type of play that puts you over the top. In DFS, his price will begin to climb, but he should be a low-owned, cheaper option to play while building your lineup elsewhere.

RB: Justin Jackson vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week 14 looks to be going down as the week of waiver wire pick ups at running back. With options like Jaylen Samuels and Jeff Wilson, Jr. being names to go after, Justin Jackson could quietly provide the biggest value. In his two games with an increased workload, Austin Ekeler has failed to prove that he is anything but a change-of-pace type of player. On the other hand, Jackson has looked the part over the past two games and should figure heavily into this week’s game-plan. The matchup itself is enticing, as the Chargers will be playing against a Bengals defense that is currently the worst in points allowed to the position (27.43 Fantasy PPG). I expect for the game script to favor the Chargers’ running attack, giving Jackson plenty of opportunities to get back into the end-zone. He is certainly worth the look as a Flex player in any format this week. But in DFS, his price tag could be hard to ignore for the value that he potentially could bring back.

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MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 02: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills reacts against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) (Michael Reaves / Getty Images)

WR: Courtland Sutton @ San Francisco 49ers

After disappointing for weeks on end after the Demaryius Thomas trade, Sutton was presented with a plus matchup in Week 13 and took advantage (4/85/1). This could again be the case in Week 14, as the Broncos play the 49ers, a defense that is one of the worst in points allowed to opposing receivers (27.16 Fantasy PPG). The defense has surrendered the most touchdowns in the league and again could be had by an improving Broncos passing attack. With the emphasis being to slow down Phillip Lindsay and the ground game, Sutton could see single coverage for most of this game. He should easily take advantage and return low-end WR3 value for the week. In DFS, based on previous performances, he could be a cheaper option that goes unnoticed.

TE: Vance McDonald @ Oakland Raiders

Coming off a disappointing loss in Week 13, the Steelers could be out for blood in a game that they should easily win against the Raiders. McDonald has been quiet over the last couple of weeks, but in a matchup against the league’s worst defense against the position (11.80 Fantasy PPG), look for him to get back on track. With the injury to James Conner and a potential committee approach in the backfield, the Steelers could very well play through the air for most for this game. If that is the case, McDonald could bring back the TE1 value that makes him worth the plug and play in both season long formats and DFS.

DEF: Arizona Cardinals vs. Detroit Lions

Although they haven’t been a defense that you can count on in Fantasy this year (23rd in scoring with 88 points), the Cardinals have a very sneaky matchup at home against the Lions in Week 14. This defense plays better at home and the Lions are coming in limping with a minimal number of weapons to use on offense. With Kerryon Johnson potentially out again, the offense will once again become one-dimensional. That one dimension is lacking as well, with Kenny Golladay being the only true threat in the passing game, and he’ll be covered by Patrick Peterson. You could very easily see the Lions scoring a minimal amount of points in this matchup, while also giving up a number of sacks, making the Cardinals a sneaky option to plug in in both seasonal formats and in DFS.